Virginia “Jennie” (Lay) Brock

Virginia "Jennie" Lay Brock, 71, was called home into the arms of her Savior on Thursday, September 28, 2023 surrounded by many family members and friends.

Viewing will be from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM on Friday, October 6, 2023 at Robert Massie Funeral Home; and the family will receive friends from 5:30 PM -7:00 PM. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel. Burial will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens, where she will be laid to rest close to her parents.

Jennie was born on October 3, 1951, in San Angelo to the late James Houston Lay and Doris Louise Easterwood Lay. She married her best friend and love of her life, Jessie Lee Brock, on December 17, 1976, and spent almost 47 years loving him. They were blessed with one son and one daughter, biologically, and raised another son as well as taking in a niece and a son-in-law along the way.

Jennie had many roles in her adult life: Homemaker, convenience store clerk, and Special Education Teacher's Assistant. She was an accomplished cook and baker and passed her skills on to her daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughters, and many 4-Hers over the years. She had a special place in her heart for children with special needs and spent many years enriching the lives of numerous students. She impacted children's lives outside of the school as well as a Girl Scout Leader, a 4-H Leader, a Lake View Chieftain Band Booster and Band Parent as well as an Athletic Booster at many high schools over the years.

Jennie loved raising dogs and horses and was actively involved in the Twin Mountain Riding Club and the American Association of Sheriff Posses and Riding Clubs, holding many offices and leadership roles throughout her tenure there.

She was known for loving her Texas A&M Aggies, watching almost every football game either in person or on television since the 1980s. Most of her closet was Aggie maroon. She was a proud Aggie Mom, and The Aggie War Hymn was her ring tone for over 20 years. Jennie was also known for her love of Santa Clauses. She collected cookie jars, mugs, glasses, and assorted decorations. Christmases at her house were spectacular, with her house decorated from top to bottom. She made certain that every person who could possibly walk through the door on Christmas Day had a gift under the tree and a stocking hanging on the wall. She loved her house being full of loved ones.

By far, Jennie's favorite role in life was that of Grandma. She spent many hours supporting her grandchildren in the arena, on the court, on the field, at parades, through fundraisers, and just spending some quality time with them reading, cooking, watching them ride horses, watching television, and more. She was their mentor, their chauffer, their cheerleader, their nanny, their teacher, their therapist, and even their mediator. She cherished every moment with them, in person and on the phone.

Jennie was preceded in death by both of her parents, several cousins whom she loved, and one "little girl" she and Jessie never got to meet.

Jennie leaves behind her loving husband, Jessie Lee Brock; Three children, Tommy Lay and wife, Eileen of San Diego, California, Lori Brock, and Jessie Lee Brock II and wife Chandra, both of San Angelo; two godchildren, Bobby Don Lay, Jr. and wife Reyna of La Porte and Davella Louise "Dee" Philipp and husband Perry of Seminole; six grandchildren, Donovan Lay, Hailie Brock, Makailey Brock, Kyla Lay, Jessie Lee Brock III "Tres", and Avery Lay; three siblings James Douglas "Jim" Lay, Bobby Don Lay, and Billy Jon Lay; Brother-in Law, Presley Reese Brock and wife Dawn, three sisters-in-Law, Janice Mikolajczak, Jenny Lou Weems and husband Rick, and Cassie Brock, her Aunt, Janell "Nell" Morse and her Uncle, Jerry Lay and wife Betty, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews and friends who loved her dearly.

Pallbearers will be her sons Tommy Lay and Jessie Lee Brock II, her grandson Tres Brock, her brother-in-law Reese Brock, her nephew Jeremy Lay, and her godson Bobby Lay.

Because Jennie did not like the idea of cut flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to one of her favorite charities: Sonrisas Trails Therapeutic Riding, P.O. Box 1093, San Angelo TX, 76902, or to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund), 200 Vesey Street, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10281.